Clip board and carrying case



Nov. 2, 1965 c. M. GOODWIN 3,215,452

CLIP BOARD AND CARRYING CASE Filed Sept. 16, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q 9 I 38 22 I0 36 INVENTOK.

Nov. 2, 1965 c. M. eooowm 3,215,452

CLIP BOARD AND CARRYING CASE Filed Sept. 16. 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Charles M. Goodwin INVENTOR.

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Nov. 2, 1965 c. M. GOODWIN CLIP BOARD AND CARRYING CASE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 16, 1963 Charles M Goodwin INVENTOR. war.

BY @ua and United States Patent 3,215,452 CLIP BOARD AND CARRYING CASE Charles M. Goodwin, Rte. 2, Mount Vernon, Ohio Filed Sept. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 309,184 19 Claims. (Cl. 281-44) The present invention generally relates to a combination clip board and carrying case, and more particularly to a portable device which provides both a convenient writing surface and a receptacle for the storage of various materials, in particular paper.

A significant object of the instant invention is to provide a compact device which can be utilized as both a portable writing desk, including means for fixedly retaining paper thereon even under adverse conditions such as high winds, and as a means for safely and conveniently carrying a supply of paper, notes, writing instruments, and various other materials considered necessary.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a carrying case which utilizes, as the front or top wall thereof, a clip board, the clip board being hingedly engaged, along one side edge thereof, with a support tray.

In conjunction with the above object, the instant invention also contemplates the provision of novel hinge means for interconnecting the board and tray whereby such can be quickly completely disengaged if so desired. Further, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a latch means along the other side edges of the board and tray for use in conjunction with the hinge means, this latch means being optionally locked so as to prevent accidental disengagement.

In conjunction with the particular means used to mount the board on the tray, the instant invention also contemplates the provision of novel means for retaining paper on the upper surface of the board, this means including a plurality of individually releasable pressure points so as to insure a maximum gripping of the paper.

Furthermore, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a device which, while relatively light in weight, is both durable in construction and highly useful.

In addition, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a device which can be conveniently opened using only one hand thereby leaving the other hand free for placing materials in or retrieving materials from the tray.

Also, inasmuch as the device of the instant invention is to in effect be a temporary self-contained desk, it is also an object of the instant invention to provide various features enhancing its desirability, such as for example a clip means specifically provided for holding writing instruments such as pencils in a convenient location, and a hook means adjustably secured to the device for enabling the device to be conveniently supported from any suitable projection such as a nail.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the device comprising the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device in closed position;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the device in a partially opened position;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the device with the board removed illustrating the interior of the tray;

FIGURE 5 is a rear elevational view of the device;

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 6-6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 77 in FIGURE 1 FIGURE 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the hanging hook;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 9-9 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged partial cross sectional View taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1010 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1111 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane along line 12-12 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1313 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1414 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 15-15 in FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a partial perspective view of the top portion of the board with the cover for the clip means removed;

FIGURE 17 is a partial perspective view of the latch means and lock therefor;

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1818 in FIGURE 17; and

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of the latch plate and catch mounting means thereon.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 20 is used to generally designate the combination clip board and carrying case comprising the instant invention. This device consists basically of a flat generally rectangular board 22 and a support tray 24 of generally the same shape though slightly larger than the board 22, the board 22 and the tray 24 being releasably interlocked so as to form a carrying case therebetween.

The tray 24 includes a peripheral flange 26, this flange 26 extending upwardly and angled slightly inwardly, terminating at its upper end in a reversely bent smooth flange 28, the slight inward angle of the flange 26 tending to retain any enclosed paper 30 neatly within the tray 24.

With particular reference to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that the main body of the tray 24 is to be provided with a plurality of downwardly embossed portions 32 which insure the rigidity of the tray 24 even though relatively light weight metal, or other suitable material, be used. In addition, it will be noted that the tray 24 has a plurality of relatively large apertures 34 therethrough, these apertures functioning both so as to reduce the weight of the device and facilitate a gripping thereof, while also allowing the insertion of a finger therethrough so as to assist in removing the paper 30 normally stored within the tray 24.

The 'board 22 is pivotally and releasably secured along one side edge thereof to the tray 24 by both .a hinge structure 36, any reasonable number of which may be provided, and a combination hinge and handle structure 38. The hinge structure 36, referring particularly to FIGURE 10, consists of a flat elongated hinge bar or plate 40 secured within a recess 42 provided in the flat bottom face of the board 22 adjacent the side edge thereof, this hinge bar 40 projecting outwardly beyond this edge and through an enlarged aperture or slot 44 in the adjoining side portion of the flange 26. The bar 40, in

approximately the vertical plane of the adjoining side portion of the flange 26 is upwardly angled with this upwardly angled portion 46 terminating in an approximately right angularly related portion 48, the portions 46 and 48 allowing a pivotal movement of the board 22 relative to the tray 24 without danger of accidental disengagement while at the same time allowing for a complete separation of the board 22 from the tray 24, the enlarged opening 44 facilitating this complete disengagement and also functioning so as to allow for a varying of the vertical distance between the board 22 and the tray 24 so as to accommodate a varying amount of paper between the board 22 and the tray 24.

The hinge and handle unit 38 consists of an elongated flat hinge rod or bar 50 secured within a recess 52 in the lower face of the board 22 and projecting beyond the adjacent side edge through an enlarged aperture 54, similar to the aperture 44, this hinge bar being upwardly angled in approximately the vertical plane of the adjoining portion of the flange 26 forming an upwardly and outwardly extending portion 56 of a substantially greater length than the portion 46 of the hinge structure 36. The outer extremity of the portion 56 of the hinge bar 50 functions as the handle or operator by means of which the case is to be opened, note FIGURE 3. This handle portion is utilized in conjunction with a horizontally extending bar or plate 58 secured to the lower surface of the tray 24 and projecting beyond the adjoining sides to approximately the vertical plane of the outer end of the portion 56 whereby the members 56 and 58 can be grasped in one hand and squeezed together causing an upward tipping of the board 22 relative to the tray 24 thus allowing access to the tray 24 with the other hand. While not specifically limited thereto, it will be noted that the bar 58 has been illustrated as being secured to the lower surface of the tray 24 by oil'- setting the portion 60 of the tray and inserting the bar 58 between the offset portion and the lower surface of the tray with a suitable fastener 62 securing the inner end of the bar 58 directly to the tray 24. It will be appreciated that while also tending to prevent any accidental disengagement of the board 22 from the tray 24, the angled portion 56 also would readily allow a disengagement of these members when desired.

The opposite side edges of the board 22 and tray 24 are to be releasably interlocked by latch means 64, this latch means consisting of an elongated latch plate 66 positioned slightly inward from the side portion of the flange and on the inner surface of the tray 24. This latch plate 66 includes, at one end thereof, an outwardly directed portion having a vertically extending push-tab 68 thereon, this push-tab 68 being positioned externally of the adjoining portion of the flange 26 through a suitable opening 70 provided therein. The intermediate portion of the latch plate 66 is pivotally secured to the tray 24 by a pivot pin 72 with the opposite end of the plate 66 having a reduced forwardly projecting flat portion 74 thereupon slidably received through a slot 76 in the tray 24, the tray 24 being offset upwardly as at 78 immediately beyond the slot 76 so as to accommodate that portion 74 extending through the slot 76. Rearward of the reduced portion 74 but on the same side of the pivot pin 72, the plate 66 is provided with a laterally extending portion 80 terminating in a vertically extending wall 82, positioned outwardly of the flange 26 through the opening 84, this wall 82 including two parallel inwardly extending apertured ears 86. A catch means 88 is rotatably mounted between the apertured ears 86 by an elongated shaft 90, this catch means 88 having a horizontal leg 92 projecting inwardly beyond the adjoining portion of the flange 26 and engageable within a recess 94 in the adjoining side edge of the board 22, and a vertical leg 96 engageable against the outer face of the wall 82 whereby the wall 82 acts as a stop so as to prevent upward movement of the leg 92 from the horizontal position shown in the drawings. Also mounted on the shaft and biasing the catch 88 so as to position the leg 92 horizontally and the leg 96 against the outer face of the wall 82 is a spring means 98 which is specifically provided so as to allow for a rapid latching of the board 22 to the tray 24 merely by pushing the board 22 downwardly toward the tray 24, the edge of the board 22 engaging the upper surface of the leg 92 and causing a downward tipping of this leg until the extremity of this leg 92 is received within the recess 94 at which time the spring 98 returns the leg 92 to its horizontal position and prevents a withdrawal of the board 22 from the tray 24. In order to release the board 22 one must pivot the catch 88 outwardly out of engagement with the recess 94, this being accomplished, with reference to FIGURE 17, by the exertion of a force against the push-tab 68 or by the exertion of a force on the inner edge of the latch plate 66 through a suitable opening 100 provided through the tray below the portion of the latch plate 66 on the same side of the pivot pin 72 as the catch 88.

In addition, the latch means 64 includes an elongated leaf spring 102 continuously biasing the catch 88 inwardly into engagement within the recess 94 of the board 22, this spring 102 having one end 104 thereof fixed to the flange 26 beyond the end of the plate 66 having the push-tab 68 thereon, with the other end of the leaf spring 102 being secured to the plate 66 adjacent the outwardly extending portion 80 by means of an upwardly curled portion 106 on the plate 66 which grasps this other end of the spring 102.

In order to lock the latch means 64 in its closed or latching position, a lock means 108 is provided, this lock means consisting of a flat plate 110 having an outwardly projecting apertured portion 112 extending through a slot 114 in the adjoining portion of the flange 26, this plate 110 being suitably fastened to the tray 24 by oifset lugs 116, and an elongated lock rod 118 slidably secured to the plate 110 adjacent the lower end of the side flange 26 for longitudinal movement therealong toward and away from the latch means 64. It will be noted, in FIGURE 17, that this lock rod 118 is slidably mounted by a pair of the lugs 116 which extend thereover and are subsequently secured to the inner wall of the flange 26. This lock rod 118 has a loop portion 120 formed therein, this loop portion extending through the slot 114 and, upon movement of the rod 118 toward the latch means 64, being alignable with the aperture in the portion 112 whereby a locking pin can be inserted through both the loop portion 120 and the aperture in the portion 112 thereby preventing a withdrawal of the lock rod 118 from the latch means 64 resulting in the desired locking of the catch means 88 within the recess 94 inasmuch as the forward end of the rod 118 will thus be engaged behind a vertically extending abutment 122 integral with the latch plate 66, the abutment 122 en gaging against the rod 118 and preventing the unlocking movement of the latch plate 64 until the rod 118 is withdrawn. As explained supra, even in this locked position, the board 22 can, assuming the case is open, be moved into latched position past the spring biased horizontal leg 94 thus eliminating the necessity of unlocking the latch means 64 when one desires to solely close the case. In regard to the sliding longitudinal movement of the lock rod 118, it will of course be appreciated that the slot 114 is to be of a size so as to allow for the necessary longitudinal movement of the loop portion 120.

In order to secure a piece of paper or papers to the upper or writing surface of the board 22, this device 20 includes both a clip means 124 and a plurality of optional hold-down members 126. Turning first to the hold-down members 126, such being best described in conjunction with FIGURES 6, 14 and l5, it will be appreciated that each of these members 126 consists of an elongated rod having a first straight portion 128 having :1 lug 130 formed on one end thereof and terminating at its other end in a right angular portion 132 which in turn terminates in a plurality of resilient coils 134, a downwardly angled integral portion 136 extending from the coiled portion 134 toward approximately the center of the first straight portion 128 and terminating in an enlarged single coil 138. The entire hold-down member 126 is of course made of a resilient metal capable of efi ectively clamping material between the loop 138 and the straight portion 128 with the plural coils 134 insuring the availability of a proper clamping force while allowing for a wide range in the thickness of the material clamped thereby. It will be noted that the hold-down members 126 are to be mounted by extending the elongated portions 128 thereof into elongated bores provided in both of the side edges of the board 22, a reduced flared end sleeve 140 provided in the outer portion of each bore 142, both the upper portion of the flared end of the tube and the board edge immediately thereabove being notched so as to accommodate the vertically extending portion 132 of the member 126 thus positioning the outer portion of this member 132 flush with the edge of the board 22. With reference to FIG- URE 15, it will be noted that the sleeve 140 has an elongated slit 144 through the bottom thereof, this slit 144 being provided for the accommodation of the lug 130 therethrough, it being contemplated that the portion 128 be of a length, relative to the remainder of the member 126 so as to allow for the positioning of the lug 130' beyond the inner end of the sleeve 140 prior to the engagement of the loop 138 with the board 22 whereby the hold-down member 126 can be inverted and the loop 138 engaged with the lower face of the board 22 or tray 24, the member 126 in this position being locked within the bore 142 inasmuch as the lug 130 can only pass through the slot 144. Any number of bores 142 can be provided along each side edge of the board 22, it being contemplated that the bores 142 be provided in laterally aligned pairs whereby such can be used, either with or without the hold-down members 126 as guides for, for example, drawing lines across the paper, however, it will of course by appreciated that their main function is to clamp papers to the writing surface at any point deemed necessary about the board 22. Further, it is contemplated that these hold-down members also act as anchoring means for straps or rubber bands having their opposite ends secured to hold-down members 126 located along opposite side edges of the board 22 thereby providing a holding means which, in addition to securing paper, can also be utilized for securing various bulkier objects as one might desire to carry.

Referring now again to the clip or clamp means 124, it is a basic intention to provide two oppositely extending slightly diverging pressure arms 146 terminating, at the opposite ends thereof in parallel forwardly projecting portions 148 which in turn terminate in depending looped pressure portions 150 spring biased, by spring means 152, downwardly into engagement with a pair of pressure pads 154 provided within recesses in the writing surface of the board 22. These pressure pads, as will be appreciated from FIGURE 7, are preferably circular in shape with the flat center portion positioned to align with or slightly below the writing surface, and the portions surrounding the flat center angled downwardly toward the bottom of the recess so as to present no interference to the positioning or removal of papers from the writing surface, that is, there is no tendency for the edge of the paper to catch on any exposed portions.

The clip means 124 is mounted on the board 22 by means of a rigid U-shaped base frame 156 having the bight portion secured to the writing surface of the board 22 adjacent the top edge thereof with the rear leg 158 thereof projecting vertically substantially in the plane of the top edge and the front leg 160 spaced inwardly therefrom, this front leg 160 being of a lesser height than the rear leg 158. The front or inner leg 160 includes a vertical slot 162 extending downwardly from the upper edge thereof and terminating in diverging smaller lateral slots 163, while the higher rear or outer leg 158 includes two aligned slots 164 extending inwardly from the opposite side edges thereof in the same horizontal plane as the slots 163.

The two pressure arms 146 are mounted on the frame or base 156 through rearwardly extending portions 166 on each pressure arm 146, these rearwardly extending portions 166 being received within the aligned slots 163 and 164 in a manner which allows for their rotation so as to raise the pressure portions upwardly out of contact with the pressure pads 154 or any papers which might be on the Writing surface of the board 22. This upward movement of the pressure arms 146 is effected through handled portions or lever arms 168 formed integral with the rearwardly extending portions 166 and extending upwardly therefrom to terminate in suitable finger gripping loops 170.

The spring means 152 used to effect the downward biasing of the pressure arms 146 consists of a single elongated flexible leaf or rod provided at spaced points centrally thereof with two oppositely directed resilient loops 172 orientated behind the front leg 160 and in engagement, on the outer sides thereof, with the two portions 166, the portion 174 between the loops 172 being orientated just under the portions 166 whereby lateral movement of the spring means 152 is restricted by engagement of the loops with the portions 166, this engagement of course not limiting the rotational movement of the pressure arms 146. The outer portions 176 of the spring means 152 generally parallel the pressure arms 146 and terminate in upwardly projected downwardly directed hooks 178 engaged over the pressure arms 146, the spring means 152, engaged in this manner, being stressed due to the retention at the central portion thereof by the rearwardly extending portions 166 of the pressure arms 146.

In order to further lock both the pressure arms 146 and the spring means 152 in position, the plate 180 is positioned between the legs 158 and 160, this plate 180 having a pair of tubular portions 182 formed therefrom and engaged about the portions 166 so as to provide journals therefor thereby, in conjunction with the slots 163 and 164, restricting the movement of the portions 166 to purely a rotational movement. The forward end of the plate 180 includes two upwardly projecting side tabs 184 extending parallel to and spaced slightly from the front leg 160 of the base 156 so as to form restrictive pockets for the coils 172, the central portion of this front end of the plate 180 being downwardly directed so as to rest upon the upper surface of the bight portion.

Inasmuch as it is contemplated that the pressure arms 146 be both independently and simultaneously operated, a central grip 186 is provided which can be grasped so as to draw either one or the other of the loops or grips 170 thereto. This member 186 consists of a flat plate folded in half and having four tabs 188 thereon extending through suitable apertures provided through the rear leg 158, these tabs 188 also extending through an apertured plate 190 which has a vertically extending tab or lug 192 thereon projecting above the upper edge of the leg 158 for reasons which shall be explained presently. These lugs 188, upon being extended through the leg 158 and plate 190 are laterally bent so as to both tightly clamp the member 186 to the leg 158 and simultaneously mount the plate 190.

The lug 192 is used to mount the clip cover plate 194, this cover plate 194 consisting of a flat front plate 196 having downwardly sloped upper edges 198 which, as will be appreciated from FIGURES 3, 5 and 12, allow for an extension of the pressure arm portions 148 thereover so as to locate the pressure portions 150 in front of the front plate 196 while concealing a major portion of the pressure arms 146 as well as the central structure of the clip 124. In addition to being secured by the lug 192 extending through a slot in the cover 194 which includes a downwardly directed flange 200 engaged over the upper edge of the rear leg 158, a plurality of driven fasteners 202 are provided between rearwardly directed flange portions 204 integral with the bottom edge of the front plate 196.

In order to conveniently carry pencils for ready access by a user of the device 20, a pencil clip 206 is mounted on the angled upper surface 208 of the cover 194, this clip 206 including two semi-cylindrical clamping portions 210 having slightly flared ends so as to facilitate the insertion of pencils or other such writing instruments.

The final feature to be specifically described is the suspension means or hanging hook 212. This suspension means 212 includes an elongated shank 214 having a circular head 216 on one end thereof. This shank 214 is received within an elongated groove beneath the base 156 formed by complementary recesses formed in both the bottom of the base 156 and the top of the board 22 immediately therebelow. The circular head 216 is received within an enlarged recess just forward of the base 156 which allows for a rotation of the suspension means 212 while preventing its removal. The hook portion 218, rotatable through 360, is to be of a size so as to safely support the entire device 20, this hook portion 218 being offset, as referred to by reference numeral 220, in a manner so as to, with reference to FIGURE 16, position the hook portion 218 approximately in the plane of the rear surface of the board 22 or tray 24 when the hook is directed toward one side thus allowing for the device 20 to be flushly engaged with a wall while suspended from a projection thereof. If so desired, as will be noted in FIGURE 5, the flange 26 of the tray 24 can be slightly deformed below the shank 214 so as to allow a flush positioning of the board 22 within the tray 24 when the tray 24 is emptied. In addition, in order to maintain the suspension means 212 in any predetermined adjusted position, a compression spring 222 is provided within a recess in the board 22 immediately below the shank 214 with the upper end of the spring 222 engaged tightly against the shank 214 so as to prevent accidental rotation of the suspension means 212, an actual physical turning of this suspension means 212 being necessary.

From the foregoing, it should be now appreciated that a highly novel combination clip board and carrying case has *been defined, this device incorporating numerous unique features particularly adapted so as to produce a device which is both useful and practical. Particularly significant is the novel hinge structure which, while pivotally interconnecting the board and tray therebeneath, also allows these members to be quickly disengaged if so desired, one of the hinges also incorporating a handle or opening means whereby the board can be pivoted away from the tray utilizing only one hand. Of equal significance is the novel latch for releasably locking the board to the tray either in a readily releasable manner or, through a :lock means, in a more secure manner, the latch means allowing for the locking of the board to the tray by merely a closing movement of the board. In addition, the novel clip structure including two spaced pressure portions is also considered of extreme importance in providing a positive means for clamping paper to the writing surface, these spaced pressure portions insuring that the paper be tightly clamped at at least two points Supplementing the clip is a plurality of removable holddown members positionable at spaced points along the full length of the board, these hold-down members in addition to being of significance as a means for anchoring paper, such as would be required on a windy day, also functioning as anchor points for, for example transversely extending rubber bands enabling the retaining of various other objects as might be deemed desirable. The suspension means 212, described in detail supra, also is considered of importance in that, through the rotatable mounting thereof and its specific shape, a proper sus pension of the device during peiods of non-use is assured.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A combined clip board and carrying case comprising, a rigid generally rectangular flat board having the upper face thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, a tray, said tray being slightly larger than the flat board and generally of the same shape, said tray including a peripheral upright flange thereabout, said board being positioned on said tray within the flange with the writing surface thereon uppermost, means adjacent the top edge of said board for releasably retaining paper on the writing surface, hinge means pivotally interconnecting said board and said tray along one side edge thereof, latch means releasably interlocking the other side edges thereof, and handle means on said one side edge for effecting, through a manipulation of the handle means, the pivotal swinging of the board and tray away from each other about said one side edge.

2. The structure of claim 1 including means for enabling a lateral adjustment between the board and tray while retaining a general parallel relationship therebetween thus enabling the accommodation of different amounts of materials.

3. A combined clip board and carrying case comprising, a rigid generally rectangular flat board having the upper face thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, a tray, said tray being slightly larger than the flat board and generally of the same shape, said tray including a peripheral upright flange thereabout, said board being positioned on said tray within the flange with the writing surface thereon uppermost, means adjacent the top edge of said board for releasably retaining paper on the writing surface, hinge means pivotally interconnecting said board and said tray along one side edge thereof, latch means releasably interlocking the other side edges thereof, and handle means on said one side edge for enabling, upon the release of the latch means, the pivotal swinging of the board and tray away from each other said board and said tray being transversely adjustable relative to each other so as to vary the space therebetween thus enabling the accommodation of different amounts of material, said hinge means including a plurality of spaced apertures through that portion of the flange along the one side edge of the tray, and a plurality of binge bars secured to the board at spaced points along the one side edge thereof, one of said hinge bars extending through each of said apertures, each of said hinge bars being upwardly angl d in approximately the plane of the corresponding flange portion so as to allow for an upward pivoting of the board relative to the tray.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said handle means consists of a coplanar extension of the upwardly angled portion of one of said hinge bars, and a handle bar secured to the tray and extending outwardly therefrom in approximately the horizontal plane of the tray and the vertical plane of said one hinge bar and extension whereby a forcing of the extension toward the handle bar effects the desired upward pivoting of the board.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the upwardly angled portion of each hinge bar, other than the bar having the extension thereon, terminates in a generally right-angular upwardly extending portion so as to prevent accidental withdrawal of the hinge bars from the tray apertures.

6. The structure of claim wherein said latch means includes a latch plate, means pivotally mounting said plate on said tray adjacent the other side edge, a catch means on said latch plate, said plate being pivotally movable between a first position wherein the board is engaged by said catch in a manner so as to prevent movement of the board relative to the tray, and a second position wherein said catch is withdrawn from engage ment with said board.

7. The structure of claim 6 including spring means biasing said latch plate into said first position, and lock means for releasably locking said plate in said first position.

8. The structure of claim 7 including means mounting said catch means on said latch plate in a manner so as to allow for an engaging of the board therewith while said latch plate is in its first position 'while preventing a disengagement in this first position.

-9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said means for releasably retaining paper on the Writing surface comprises, a pair of pressure arms terminating in spaced pressure portions, and spring means engaged with said pressure arms for biasing said pressure portions downwardly toward the writing surface of the board, said last mentioned spring means allowing 'both an independent or simultaneous upward movement of the pressure portions.

10. The structure of claim 9 including a pressure pad mounted on the board in line with each pressure portion these pressure pads having the upper surface thereof in approximately the same plane as the writing surface of the board.

11. The structure of claim 10 including hook means for suspending the combined clip board and carrying case, said hook means being rotatably secured to the board in a manner so as to project beyond the top edge thereof.

12. The structure of claim 11 including hold-down means releasably and selectively mountable at spaced points along the side edges of the board, said hold-down means including pressure points positionable over the writing surface and means biasing said pressure points downwardly toward engagement with the Writing surface.

13. The structure of claim 3 wherein said latch means includes a latch plate, means pivotally mounting said plate on said tray adjacent the other side edge, a catch means on said latch plate, said plate being pivotally movable between a first position wherein the board is engaged by said catch in -a manner so as to prevent movement of the board relative to the tray, and a second position wherein said catch is Withdrawn from engagement with said board, spring means biasing said latch plate into said first position, and lock means for releasably locking said plate in said first position.

14. The structure of claim 3 wherein said means for releasably retaining paper on the Writing surface comprises, a pair of pressure arms terminating in spaced pressure portions, and spring means engaged with said pressure arms for biasing said pressure portions downwardly toward the writing surface of the board, said last mentioned spring means allowing both an independent or simultaneous upward movement of the pressure portions, and hold-down means releasably and selectively mountable at spaced points along the side edges of the board, said hold-down means including pressure points positionable over the writing surface and means biasing said pressure points downwardly toward engagement with the writ ing surface.

15. A combined clip board and carrying case comprising, a rigid generally rectangular fiat board having the upper face thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, a tray, said tray being slightly larger than the flat board and generally of the same shape, said tray including a peripheral upright flange thereabout, said board being positioned on said tray within the flange with the writing surface thereon uppermost, means adjacent the top edge of said board for releasably retaining paper on the writing surface, and hinge means pivotally interconnecting said 'board and said tray along one side edge thereof, said hinge means including a plurality of spaced apertures through that portion of the flange along the one side edge of the tray, and a plurality of hinge bars secured to the board at spaced points along the one side edge thereof, one of said hinge bars extending through each of said apertures, each of said hinge bars being upwardly angled in approximately the plane of the corresponding flange portions so as to allow for an upward pivoting of the board relative to the tray.

'16. The structure of claim 15 wherein each of said apertures is of a height substantially greater than the thickness of the corresponding hinge bar so as to enable a lateral adjustment between the board and tray so as to allow for the accommodation of different amounts of material therebetween while maintaining the engagement of the hinge bars through the apertures.

.17. A clip board comprising a rigid generally rectangular flat board having the upper face thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, means adjacent the top edge of said board for releasably retaining paper on the writing surface, said means comprising a pair of pressure arms, said pressure arms including parallel adjacent handle portions projecting laterally outward from the other face of the board adjacent the top edge thereof, parallel intermediate portions integral with the lower ends of the handle portions and projecting inwardly from said top edge parallel to said upper face of the board in spaced relation thereabove, diverging portions integral with the inner ends of the intermediate portions, said diverging portions terminating in downwardly directed pressure portions, means rotatably mounting said intermediate portions, and spring biasing means engaged with said diverging portions and urging said portions downwardly so as to engage said pressure portions with the upper surface of the board.

18. A combined clip board and carrying case comprising a rigid generally rectangular flat board having the upper face thereof adapted for use as a Writing surface, a tray, said tray being slightly larger than the fiat board and generally of the same shape, said tray including a peripheral upright flange thereabout, said board being positioned on said tray within the flange with the writing surface thereof uppermost, means adjacent the top edge of said board for releasably retaining paper on the writing surface, hinge means pivotally interconnecting said board and said tray along one side edge thereof, and latch means releasably interlocking the other side edges thereof, said latch means including a latch plate, means pivotally mounting said plate on said tray adjacent the other side edge, a catch means on said latch plate, said plate being pivotally movable between a first position wherein the board is engaged by said catch in a manner so as to prevent movement of the board relative to the tray, and a second position wherein said catch is withdrawn from engagement with said board, spring means biasing said latch plate into said first position, and lock means for releasably locking said plate in said first position, said lock means including an elongated rod and means slidably mounting said rod on said tray adjacent said lock plate for movement between a forward position in the path of movement of the latch plate and a rear position out of the path of movement of the latch plate, said rod in its forward position preventing movement of the latch plate out of its first position, and means for fixing said rod in its forward position.

19. A clip board comprising a rigid generally rectangular fiat board having the upper face thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, means adjacent the top edge of said board for releasably retaining paper on the writing 1 1 surface, said means comprising a pair of pressure arms terminating in spaced pressure portions, and spring means engaged with said pressure arms for biasing said pressure portions downwardly toward the writing surface of the board, said last mentioned spring means for allowing both an independent and simultaneous upward movement of the pressure portions, a plurality of bores extending inwardly through the edge of said board, hold-down means mounted in each bore, said hold-down means each including a first elongated portion telescoped in one of said bores, a second perpendicular portion integral with the outer end of the first portion, a third portion integral with the outer end of the second portion and extending at an angle therefrom to the upper face of the board at approximately the center of the first portion, the free end of the third portion being resiliently biased toward said first portion so as to retain paper on said upper face, and means on said first portion for selectively limiting withdrawal of said first portion from said board.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 682,493 9/01 Pendleton 22447 1,047,794 12/ 12 Griner 24-66 X 1,871,719 8/32 Meader 281-44 X 2,417,879 3/47 Merritt 312231 X 2,606,774 8/52 Zalkind 281-44 2,850,296 9/58 Ratliff 281 -44 FOREIGN PATENTS 145,555 4/21 Great Britain.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

CHAN CELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. A COMBINED CLIP BOARD AND CARRYING CASE COMPRISING, A RIGID GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FLAT BOARD HAVING THE UPPER FACE THEREOF ADAPTED FOR USE AS A WRITING SURFACE, A TRAY, SAID TRAY BEING SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE FLAT BOARD AND GENERALLY OF THE SAME SHAPE, SAID TRAY INCLUDING A PERIPHERAL UPRIGHT FLANGE THEREABOUT, SAID BOARD BEING POSITIONED ON SAID TRAY WITHIN THE FLANGE WITH THE WRITING SURFACE THEREON UPPERMOST, MEANS ADJACENT THE TOP EDGE OF SAID BOARD FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING PAPER ON THE WRITING SURFACE, HINGE MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID BOARD AND SAID TRAY ALONG ONE SIDE EDGE THEREOF, LATCH MEANS RELEASABLY INTERLOCKING THE OTHER SIDE EDGES THEREOF, AND HANDLE MEANS ON SAID ONE SIDE EDGE FOR EFFECTING, THROUGH A MANIPULATION OF THE HANDLE MEANS, THE PIVOTAL SWINGING OF THE BOARD AND TRAY AWAY FROM EACH OTHER ABOUT SAID ONE SIDE EDGE. 